Ultimate Guide to Making Cinematography for Music Video for 2024

Ultimate Guide to Making Cinematography for Music Video for 2024

Chloe Lv12

Ultimate Guide to Making Cinematography for Music Video

To visually represent the story in the music video, cinematography shots are helpful. It’ll obviously and pleasing and eye-catchy effect in your video. These major requirements for making that cinematography can be covered as the following:

  1. Light a subject
  2. Create atmosphere
  3. Light a set
  4. Camera techniques
  5. Aspect ratio
  6. Framing
  7. Camera movement

Before, we go deeper to the details on how to make a cinematography for music, let us know first about the cinematography for music video. Everything is represented in this article, from the camera movement to the setting of the lights in the studio. You will also learn about aspect ratio and framing while making shots from the DSLR.

What Is Cinematography?

Cinematography covers all aspects of how a movie or music video is made, including choosing the lighting for the scene. The type of camera equipment to use, how to frame your photographs, and how to decide on camera movement are also included in this. Let’s move toward the next lines to get the cool cinematography on display.

Light a subject

Although you may assume that cinematography is just concerned with the usage of the camera, lighting plays an equally important role. While planning your photographs, you should think about how the scene is lit and how your subject is illuminated.

lighting a subject

The cinematographer should consider the hard and soft lights for perfect illustrations during shooting. These are depicted with the following requirements!

Hard light and soft light

The cinematographers mainly focus on the hard and soft lights during filmmaking. The hard lights give a softer look to the subject. They are pointing to the light sources which are closer to the subject in the video. It makes the photographs and shots harsher and more dramatic.

hard light on the subject

The soft light is trying to wrap around the subject. It gives diffused shadows and soft edges to the character of the music video.

soft light on the subject

note

Note: To get better results of the soft look, you need to add diffusion to lower the intensity.

Create Atmosphere

You need a haze machine to create the atmosphere and give the environment true vibes. The haze machine gives a foggy appearance in every shoot and scene.

haze machine

Filmora Video Editor Easily create video with plenty of video effects and filters.

Free Download Free Download Learn More

filmora filmora

Light a Set

To give proper lights in the set is illustrated with the help of an example as shown below!

Examples

In this music video of the 3lau’s, the main prop used is a bus, which is presented in the middle of the set and lit very well. The bus is rounded by many tungsten lights, which give a resemblance to those street lights. They are set up automatically in such a way that this stimulates the real movement of the bus on the road.

lighting a set

The three projectors are set to give the street footage at the back scene to add more realism.

The three lights are set in the queue by the production team to get the memory of the protagonist. In the setup, soft lights are also added on top of all the upper windows of the bus to give blue interior light to the bus.

Camera Techniques

The cameras used during filming play a major role in giving the cinematographic shots. All the techniques shown below are applied to the DSLRs and even the smartphones you use for filming.

Prime lenses

The foremost and most helpful lenses in filming are called prime lenses, which have fixed focal lengths. There is no Johns to zoom out and zoom-in in prime lenses.

For filming, we need to choose the right level of zoom, which the DP does by picking the right lens for the footage.

prime lens of the camera

In the close-up scenes, there is a requirement for a wider field of view which also depends on the aspect ratio of shooting.

Aspect Ratio

In filmy view, the most appropriate aspect ratio is 2.35, which is also a cinematic ratio. There is also another ratio of 16:9, which is a wider ratio. While 2.35 gives a more narrow perspective as compared to the prior one.

note

Note: The narrow ratio is helpful in showing the relationships between the subjects.

aspect ratio of the filming

Whenever we use a microscope, we are dealing with the aspect ratio and narrowing down to the required point where we want to look, and this is all about framing, which is discussed as shown below!

Framing

Framing is a way used to illustrate the concepts such as the rule of thirds and leading lines. To give customized headroom to the subject, the framing is used from the top of the head and the top of the frame.

Camera Movement

The camera movement actually shows the real story presented in the music video. The camera movements used for filming are mainly the pedestal, truck, pan, tilt, and roll.

camera movements

Whenever the protagonist looks out the bus’s window, the camera operator will use the “Dolly” and “Trucking” movements.

Trucking Movement

The trucking movement of the camera is done in left-to-right motion in the filming. This is used for emotional purposes and whenever the subject is in a pull-out shot.

Dolly Movement

The dolly movement of the camera is done by moving towards or away from the subject. This often gives a sense of importance to the character.

Final Words

The above article gives the exact preferences of the “Tokyo” song by which you learned a lot of techniques for your future use. By following the above rules and tips, you’ll obviously come up with a viral music video.

Create Atmosphere

You need a haze machine to create the atmosphere and give the environment true vibes. The haze machine gives a foggy appearance in every shoot and scene.

haze machine

Filmora Video Editor Easily create video with plenty of video effects and filters.

Free Download Free Download Learn More

filmora filmora

Light a Set

To give proper lights in the set is illustrated with the help of an example as shown below!

Examples

In this music video of the 3lau’s, the main prop used is a bus, which is presented in the middle of the set and lit very well. The bus is rounded by many tungsten lights, which give a resemblance to those street lights. They are set up automatically in such a way that this stimulates the real movement of the bus on the road.

lighting a set

The three projectors are set to give the street footage at the back scene to add more realism.

The three lights are set in the queue by the production team to get the memory of the protagonist. In the setup, soft lights are also added on top of all the upper windows of the bus to give blue interior light to the bus.

Camera Techniques

The cameras used during filming play a major role in giving the cinematographic shots. All the techniques shown below are applied to the DSLRs and even the smartphones you use for filming.

Prime lenses

The foremost and most helpful lenses in filming are called prime lenses, which have fixed focal lengths. There is no Johns to zoom out and zoom-in in prime lenses.

For filming, we need to choose the right level of zoom, which the DP does by picking the right lens for the footage.

prime lens of the camera

In the close-up scenes, there is a requirement for a wider field of view which also depends on the aspect ratio of shooting.

Aspect Ratio

In filmy view, the most appropriate aspect ratio is 2.35, which is also a cinematic ratio. There is also another ratio of 16:9, which is a wider ratio. While 2.35 gives a more narrow perspective as compared to the prior one.

note

Note: The narrow ratio is helpful in showing the relationships between the subjects.

aspect ratio of the filming

Whenever we use a microscope, we are dealing with the aspect ratio and narrowing down to the required point where we want to look, and this is all about framing, which is discussed as shown below!

Framing

Framing is a way used to illustrate the concepts such as the rule of thirds and leading lines. To give customized headroom to the subject, the framing is used from the top of the head and the top of the frame.

Camera Movement

The camera movement actually shows the real story presented in the music video. The camera movements used for filming are mainly the pedestal, truck, pan, tilt, and roll.

camera movements

Whenever the protagonist looks out the bus’s window, the camera operator will use the “Dolly” and “Trucking” movements.

Trucking Movement

The trucking movement of the camera is done in left-to-right motion in the filming. This is used for emotional purposes and whenever the subject is in a pull-out shot.

Dolly Movement

The dolly movement of the camera is done by moving towards or away from the subject. This often gives a sense of importance to the character.

Final Words

The above article gives the exact preferences of the “Tokyo” song by which you learned a lot of techniques for your future use. By following the above rules and tips, you’ll obviously come up with a viral music video.

4 Simple Methods for Making a High-Quality Recap Video

Recap videos are a great way to capture the highlights of an event and share them with a wider audience. Whether you’re a professional videographer or a hobbyist, creating a recap video can be a fun and rewarding experience. But with so many different techniques and approaches, knowing where to start can be challenging.

In this article, we’ll explore four methods for making a recap video to help you capture the essence of your event and keep your audience engaged. From planning and scripting to shooting and editing, we’ll cover all the key steps in creating a high-quality recap video. Whether a seasoned pro or a beginner, you can find something valuable in this guide.

how to make recap video

Method 1. How To Make a Recap Video from Scratch Using Filmora for Desktop

One approach to creating a recap video is to start from scratch using video editing software like Wondershare Filmora for Desktop. This powerful software offers a wide range of tools and features that allow you to create professional-looking videos easily.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced video editor, Filmora for Desktop provides all the tools you need to create a stunning recap video that showcases the best moments from your event. With its intuitive interface and easy-to-use features, Filmora for Desktop makes it simple to bring your vision to life and create a video that truly captures the spirit of your event.

Here’s how to make the recap video from scratch using Wondershare Filmora for Desktop:

Step1 Download New Year Memory Book Pack from FilmStock

filmora download resources

Step2 Open Filmora and go to “Effects“ > “FilmStock“ > “New Year Memory Book.”

Step3 Drag and drop media like clips, overlay, and tracks to the timeline

filmora add media

Step4 Import photos and videos.

filmora import clips

Step5 Add the imported media and edit the clip.

Step6 Add some effects and overlay to the timeline

filmora add effects

Step7 Adjust the Overlay duration of the clip.

Step8 Apply all the transitions and overlay to the clip. Edit the text and save it.

add transitions to recap video

For more detailed instructions, you can watch the video tutorial:

Method 2. How To Make an Event Recap Video Using Filmora Templates on a Desktop

Another approach to creating a recap video is using templates from Filmora for Desktop. Filmora offers various templates specifically designed for event recap videos, making it easy to create a professional-looking video without spending hours editing.

These templates come pre-designed with stunning graphics, animations, and transitions and can be easily customized to match your event. With the help of the templates, you can create an event recap video in a matter of minutes without needing any prior editing experience.

Step1 Begin by creating a new project in Filmora and importing your photos and footage into the software.

Step2 Next, navigate to the “Templates“ tab and search for “Retro“ or “Recap“ to find a template that suits your event. Drag the desired template to the timeline.

Step3 Drag your footage onto the timeline, and when prompted, selectReplace“ to replace the sample footage with your own.

Step4 Customize the texts in the template to match the details of your event.

Step5 Preview the final result in the player window, and if satisfied, clickExport“ and adjust the output settings in the “Output Settings“ window.

Method 3. How to Create an End-of-Year Recap Video With Filmora for Mobile

Creating a recap video doesn’t have to be limited to desktop editing software. With Filmora for mobile, you can create a professional-looking end-of-year recap video from the convenience of your mobile device.

With Filmora for mobile, you have access to a wide range of editing tools and features, including filters, transitions, and text options, so you can create a video that truly captures the essence of your event. So whether you’re on the go or prefer to edit on your mobile device, Filmora for mobile makes it easy to create a high-quality recap video that you can share with your audience.

Step1 Start by launching the Filmora for mobile app and selecting the “Templates“ option.

filmora mobile template

Step2 Tap the “New Year“ panel for an end-of-year recap video template.

filmora mobile select template

Step3 Select the template and tap on “Make Video“ to start editing.

Step4 Add your photos and footage to the template, then tapGo.”

filmora mobile add media

Step5 Preview the output. TapPro Export

filmora mobile preview

Step6 Users can share the video on social platforms or tapMore“ to download the video.

filmora mobile download video

Step7 Save the final video to your device

filmora mobile save video

Method 4. How To Create a Memories Recap Video on Instagram Reel

Another way to create a memories recap video is using the Instagram Reel feature. Instagram Reel is a short-form video feature that allows users to create and share videos up to 60 seconds long. With Instagram Reel, you can easily create a recap video of your event by compiling short clips, adding music and text, and sharing it with your followers.

Instagram Reel provides a platform to reach a wider audience and create engaging content. It’s a great way to engage with your followers and share the highlights of your event in a creative and visually appealing way.

Step1 Start a new Reel on Instagram

instagram new reel

Step2 Choose a template

instagram new template

Step3 Compile clips, add music, text, and effects

instagram compile clips

Step4 Post and share the Reel on Instagram and other platforms.

instagram post reel

Tips for Making Event Recap Videos

When creating an event recap video, there are key tips to remember to ensure that your video is engaging and effective.

  • Know your audience: Tailor the content of your video to your audience to ensure that it resonates with them.
  • Highlight the key moments: Be selective and focus on your event’s most memorable and impactful moments.
  • Music and Sound Design: The right music can help set the tone and mood of your video and can greatly enhance the overall impact of your video.
  • Quality Footage: Make sure to focus on the quality of your footage and use various shots and angles to keep the video interesting and engaging.
  • Editing: Keep the pacing of your video brisk and engaging, and use transitions, special effects, and text overlays to help tie the various elements of your video together.
  • Plan the video: Careful planning is crucial for creating a great event recap video.
  • Use the right tools: Use the appropriate software and equipment to create a professional-looking video.
  • Test the video: Preview the video before publishing and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it meets your standards.
  • Post-production: After filming, spend time on post-production, such as color correction, audio mixing, and adding text.
  • Share it widely: Share the video on different platforms to reach a wider audience.

By following these tips and working with the right tools and techniques, you can create a video that truly captures the essence of your event and resonates with your audience.

Conclusion

Creating an engaging event recap video is an excellent way to share the highlights of your event with a wider audience. With the right tools and techniques, you can create a professional-looking video that truly captures the essence of your event.

Filmora for desktop, Filmora for mobile, and Instagram Reel are all great options that provide a wide range of editing tools and features to help you create a high-quality video. Whether a seasoned pro or a beginner, these tools make it easy to bring your vision to life and create a video that resonates with your audience.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced video editor, Filmora for Desktop provides all the tools you need to create a stunning recap video that showcases the best moments from your event. With its intuitive interface and easy-to-use features, Filmora for Desktop makes it simple to bring your vision to life and create a video that truly captures the spirit of your event.

Here’s how to make the recap video from scratch using Wondershare Filmora for Desktop:

Step1 Download New Year Memory Book Pack from FilmStock

filmora download resources

Step2 Open Filmora and go to “Effects“ > “FilmStock“ > “New Year Memory Book.”

Step3 Drag and drop media like clips, overlay, and tracks to the timeline

filmora add media

Step4 Import photos and videos.

filmora import clips

Step5 Add the imported media and edit the clip.

Step6 Add some effects and overlay to the timeline

filmora add effects

Step7 Adjust the Overlay duration of the clip.

Step8 Apply all the transitions and overlay to the clip. Edit the text and save it.

add transitions to recap video

For more detailed instructions, you can watch the video tutorial:

Method 2. How To Make an Event Recap Video Using Filmora Templates on a Desktop

Another approach to creating a recap video is using templates from Filmora for Desktop. Filmora offers various templates specifically designed for event recap videos, making it easy to create a professional-looking video without spending hours editing.

These templates come pre-designed with stunning graphics, animations, and transitions and can be easily customized to match your event. With the help of the templates, you can create an event recap video in a matter of minutes without needing any prior editing experience.

Step1 Begin by creating a new project in Filmora and importing your photos and footage into the software.

Step2 Next, navigate to the “Templates“ tab and search for “Retro“ or “Recap“ to find a template that suits your event. Drag the desired template to the timeline.

Step3 Drag your footage onto the timeline, and when prompted, selectReplace“ to replace the sample footage with your own.

Step4 Customize the texts in the template to match the details of your event.

Step5 Preview the final result in the player window, and if satisfied, clickExport“ and adjust the output settings in the “Output Settings“ window.

Method 3. How to Create an End-of-Year Recap Video With Filmora for Mobile

Creating a recap video doesn’t have to be limited to desktop editing software. With Filmora for mobile, you can create a professional-looking end-of-year recap video from the convenience of your mobile device.

With Filmora for mobile, you have access to a wide range of editing tools and features, including filters, transitions, and text options, so you can create a video that truly captures the essence of your event. So whether you’re on the go or prefer to edit on your mobile device, Filmora for mobile makes it easy to create a high-quality recap video that you can share with your audience.

Step1 Start by launching the Filmora for mobile app and selecting the “Templates“ option.

filmora mobile template

Step2 Tap the “New Year“ panel for an end-of-year recap video template.

filmora mobile select template

Step3 Select the template and tap on “Make Video“ to start editing.

Step4 Add your photos and footage to the template, then tapGo.”

filmora mobile add media

Step5 Preview the output. TapPro Export

filmora mobile preview

Step6 Users can share the video on social platforms or tapMore“ to download the video.

filmora mobile download video

Step7 Save the final video to your device

filmora mobile save video

Method 4. How To Create a Memories Recap Video on Instagram Reel

Another way to create a memories recap video is using the Instagram Reel feature. Instagram Reel is a short-form video feature that allows users to create and share videos up to 60 seconds long. With Instagram Reel, you can easily create a recap video of your event by compiling short clips, adding music and text, and sharing it with your followers.

Instagram Reel provides a platform to reach a wider audience and create engaging content. It’s a great way to engage with your followers and share the highlights of your event in a creative and visually appealing way.

Step1 Start a new Reel on Instagram

instagram new reel

Step2 Choose a template

instagram new template

Step3 Compile clips, add music, text, and effects

instagram compile clips

Step4 Post and share the Reel on Instagram and other platforms.

instagram post reel

Tips for Making Event Recap Videos

When creating an event recap video, there are key tips to remember to ensure that your video is engaging and effective.

  • Know your audience: Tailor the content of your video to your audience to ensure that it resonates with them.
  • Highlight the key moments: Be selective and focus on your event’s most memorable and impactful moments.
  • Music and Sound Design: The right music can help set the tone and mood of your video and can greatly enhance the overall impact of your video.
  • Quality Footage: Make sure to focus on the quality of your footage and use various shots and angles to keep the video interesting and engaging.
  • Editing: Keep the pacing of your video brisk and engaging, and use transitions, special effects, and text overlays to help tie the various elements of your video together.
  • Plan the video: Careful planning is crucial for creating a great event recap video.
  • Use the right tools: Use the appropriate software and equipment to create a professional-looking video.
  • Test the video: Preview the video before publishing and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it meets your standards.
  • Post-production: After filming, spend time on post-production, such as color correction, audio mixing, and adding text.
  • Share it widely: Share the video on different platforms to reach a wider audience.

By following these tips and working with the right tools and techniques, you can create a video that truly captures the essence of your event and resonates with your audience.

Conclusion

Creating an engaging event recap video is an excellent way to share the highlights of your event with a wider audience. With the right tools and techniques, you can create a professional-looking video that truly captures the essence of your event.

Filmora for desktop, Filmora for mobile, and Instagram Reel are all great options that provide a wide range of editing tools and features to help you create a high-quality video. Whether a seasoned pro or a beginner, these tools make it easy to bring your vision to life and create a video that resonates with your audience.

7 Best MP4 Editors for Mac: Edit MP4 in Mac

Getting into the industry of video editing doesn’t have to break your bank and spent all night to know how. If this is your first time and you don’t want to invest in expensive software, worry no more! There are free MP4 video editing software out there that lets you create pro-level projects. Check out this list of best MP4 Video Editors available for free for MAC.

FILMORA VIDEO EDITOR

mp4-editor-mac

Filmora Video Editor is one of the best and easiest editing software out there. It’s fairly fast, easy to learn due to the user-friendly interface, and offers advanced features to keep your content for a year.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

Audio Equalizer

4K Resolution Editing Support

GIF Support

Split Screen

Video And Audio Controls

Layer Multiple Video Clips

Video Stabilization

Color Grading Presets

Advanced Text Editing

Tilt-Shift

Mosaic (Blurring)

Noise Removal

Social Import

Frame By Frame Preview

Speed Control

Audio-Mixer

Chroma Key Backgrounds

Screen Recording

Audio Separation

Scene Detection

Cons:

Watermarkings

Proxy set up

Compatibility of video importing

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and install Filmora, open the app, then choose a dropdown option from the Select Project Aspect Ratio.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Import Media Folder menu in Filmora,

select the folder that contains your files.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Clips

With your library in view, you can now add clips on the timeline by dragging-or-dropping.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Trim and Adjust Your Clips

If you wish to shorten your clips, click on the left or right edges of the clip on the timeline and drag it to shorten it.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Video Effects

With a clip selected, click on the Effects icon at the top of the app. You’ll instantly see a deep visual library of effects that you can add to your project. Just double click on an effect and you’ll add it to the active clip.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Transition In Between Clips

With a clip selected, click on Transitions above the editing area. Double-click on any of the many transition presets in order to blend two clips together.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text Overlays

Click on Titles above the video editor to open the menu. Once the menu is open, you’ll see a selection of text effects, conveniently organized into important categories like titles, lower thirds, and more. Drag-and-drop any of these effects on top of your timeline to add it to the video.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Export Your Video

If you’re ready and want to export your video, you can see the ‘export’ button in view above the editing area. Click the button then choose which format you want to render.

mp4-editor-mac

SHOTCUT

mp4-editor-mac

Shotcut is a completely free, open source editing program that gets the job done with minimal interface complexity.

Features:

Import Video

Keyframing

Cutting and Splicing

Transition

Titles

Effects

Cons:

Interface is not user-friendly

Limited transition

No export presets for devices

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and run Shotcut, open the app, then set a project folder path > name it > select one of the video modes (SD, HD or UHD at different frame rate) > Start.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Open File > select one or several video clips > open. Then drag the videos in the Playlist to the Timeline area for editing.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text

Click “Filters” in the toolbar. Switch from ‘Favorite’ to ‘Video’ tab > scroll down to find ‘Text’ or search ‘Text’ directly. Type in the Text box, choose a font, adjust the size and color.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Crop Video

Click ‘Filters’ in the toolbar > Video > Crop (circle, rectangle or source). Change corner radius and padding color in Crop: rectangle.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Split Video
mp4-editor-mac

Move down to the Timeline area and slide the playhead to where you want to split. Click ‘Split At Playhead’ (right beside the ‘Toggle snapping’ button, or simply press S.

  1. How To Add Transition

Get two videos overlapped and then the transition zone appears. Choose a transition type in ‘Properties’, like Dissolve, Cut, Iris box, Clock top, etc.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Go to ‘File‘ and then ‘Export video’. Choose YouTube for uploading online.

mp4-editor-mac

iMOVIE

mp4-editor-mac

iMovie is Apple’s video editing software that is free and comes preinstalled on Mac computers.

Features:

Effects

Trailer templates

Backgrounds and Transitions

Customizable controls & fine-tuning

Cons:

It takes up a lot of storage space

It can be slow when working with large files

The tool is very basic, so if you are looking for very advanced functionality, look elsewhere

Steps:

  1. Importing Footage into iMovie
mp4-editor-mac

Before you jump onto the timeline, you have to get your individual clips into the program. This process is called Importing. Once you’ve created a new project, all you have to do is click the import button or press ⌘ + I. Then select the video and audio clips you want to edit and click Import Selected.

  1. Change Your Theme

When you created a trailer, you already selected a theme. However, you can add or change this at any time for both videos and trailers. To change you theme, follow this instruction:

To change your theme:

Go into your iMovie project. Click Settings on the right side above the timeline. Choose the button that says No Theme. Next, select a theme for your video. Choose Change.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Transitions

To add a transition, make sure you have two or more clips on your timeline. From there,

click Transitions on the iMovie toolbar, and then choose your transition.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Filters

To add filters, select one or more video clips, choose the Filter and Audio Effects button on the right side of the app, then click None next to the Clip Filter and select your filter.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Title

To add a title, choose the purple marker in the timeline, double-click on the existing text, then type your text and adjust the style.

mp4-editor-mac

AVIDEMUX

mp4-editor-mac

Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks. It is best used for beginners who want quick edits.

Features:

Cutting

Copy Portions of a Video

Remove Portions of a Video

Save Small Parts

Filtering

Video Filters

Audio Filters

Encoding

Custom Scripts

Supports Common Video Formats

Deinterlacing Video

Convert Video To A Smaller Size

Joblist

Project Files

Convert Video For Archiving or Publishing

Cons:
Batch process unavailable

Intricate and confusing cut features

Steps:

How to use Avidemux to crop a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the window.

Step 2: Go to Video>Filters>Crop.

Step 3: Those 4 entry boxes help you set how many pixels to crop and from what direction, showing you to crop the entire video in the way you like.

Step4: click “OK“ to close the filters selection window and save it.

How to use Avidemux to trim a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and add the video to the program by dragging it to the window.

Step2: with the bar below, select the point where you want to start the video and click on the letter “A” and mark point “B” where you want to end (cut) your video.

Step3: Finally from the menu select File>Save>Save Video.

How to use Avidemux to rotate a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the program.

Step 2: select your Video Output file choice in the drop-down menu.

Step 3: open the pop up window referred to as “Filters” and select the filter “Transform”.

Step 4: click the filter “Rotate” and add it (another little window will pop up).

Step 5: Figure out how you want to rotate the video, and then click “OK” and “Close” the Video Filter Manager Window.

Step 6: Save the file.

How to use Avidemux to add text?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: Launch Avidemux and import the source video to the program by dragging it to the interface.

Step 2: Prepare a text file that has all the titles you want to add to your video.

Step 3: Go to the menu bar of your video and choose “filters”.

Step 4: In the filter manager, select ‘subtitles’, and locate the subtitle by clicking on “add” icon before configuring.

Step 5: Save it.

BEST PAID MP4 EDITORS FOR MAC

Investing in professional video editing software will leave us doubtful at times. As we all know that there are paid video editors that will still let us make incredible projects. But if you want to create professional content that will astound your audience and will step up your game, here are the best MP4 video editing software you should start to invest in.

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

mp4-editor-mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is undeniably the standards of every editing softwares in terms of it’s incredible layout and powerful editing tools.

Features:

Simultaneous Projects

Motion Graphics Templates

Shared Projects

VR Editing

VR Rotate Sphere

VR Audio Editing

Effects

Video Titling & Graphics

Transitions

Regional Closed Caption Standards

Labels

Lumetri Support

Type Tool

Libraries

Multiple Video Types

Direct Publishing

Multiple Formats Support

Cons:

Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals

Some techniques require additional applications, such as After Effects or Media Encoder

No sound effect samples included

Steps:

  1. Starting A New Project

After you run the program on your PC, click the Pr logo. Once opened, it will bring up a ‘New Project’ window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Importing Media

After you fill up, you will have to import your media. To do this, you can either press Ctrl + I (Cmd + I on a mac) and select the clips you wish to import, or you can drag and drop video, audio and image files directly from a folder.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Effects

To apply an effect, first you’ll need to navigate to the effects window, which can be done by either selecting the Effects workspace tab at the top of your current workspace, or by switching one of your existing windows over to Effects. Once you’ve found your effect in Effects Controls, you can click the arrow next to its name to expand or collapse its list of parameters, which can be adjusted to achieve your desired effect.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Colour Grading

To do colour grading, you have to access the Basic Correction, either in Effect Controls or on the right hand side of the Color workspace. Once opened, you’ll see options for correcting your footage.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Keyframes

Keyframes can be added by clicking the little diamonds next to your chosen effects in the Effect Controls window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Exporting

To import your project, click FILE > EXPORT > MEDIA or hit Cmd/ Ctrl + M on your keyboard. In the format drop-down list, select . In the preset drop-down list, select the relevant preset. YouTube 1080p Full HD is a good multi-purpose option for videos intended for the internet. Click on the output name to name your film and select the folder in which you wish to save it. Check “Use Maximum Render Quality”, and then click export.

mp4-editor-mac

DA VINCI RESOLVE

mp4-editor-mac

Da Vinci Resolve is every professional editor favorite because of its capable free version and the ease of use it offers.

Features:

GPU/Hardware Accelerated Encoding and Multiple GPUs

4K Resolution Limit & Frame Rates over 60fps

and Accelerated Decoding

Video Noise Reduction and Motion Blur

The DaVinci Neural Engine

No deinterlacing

3:2 Pulldown

There is no HDR Dolby Vision

Lens Correction

3D Stereoscopic Tools, including stereoscopic grading

Cons:

Needs a powerful system to run

Steep learning curve

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you open up DaVinci Resolve, look for the “New Project” button at the bottom of the window. Click it, and the “Create New Project” window will pop up.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Import Media

To import your files, drag and drop your media from the list of folders on your computer in the upper left corner, or open a folder on your computer and drag and drop from there.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Trim Clips

The easiest thing to do to trim your clips is by dragging the lines at the side of your clips in the edit page.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Add Transition
mp4-editor-mac

Click “Effects Library” indicated by the arrow. From the visual effects library, you can look down at the left side for the yellow circle where it says, “Video Transitions.

  1. How To Add Titles

If you look down the list under “Video Transitions,” you will see “Titles.” Click that, choose your title format, and drag and drop where you want it, just like when you added a transition.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Export
mp4-editor-mac

Once your video is complete, click “Deliver,” as indicated by the yellow circle at the bottom.

LIGHTWORKS

mp4-editor-mac

Lightworks is remarkably powerful free video editing software , packed with professional quality tools that will make your clips shine. It’s fast, flexible, and once you get used to its unusual workflow you’ll find it remarkably easy to use.

Features:

Drag-And-Drop Interface

Viewers

Content Management

Video Routing

Color Correction And Blend Modes

Work With Effect Keyframes

Rendering Effects

Apply Color LUTs

Applying Chroma Keys

Fusion Compositor

Boris FX Plug-Ins

Boris FX And Graffiti Pro Bundle

Edit Multicam Sources

Configurable Multiple Monitors

Keyboard Shortcuts

Export

Cons:

Project frame rate limits import

Performance issues

Lacking in effects tools

Limited export options

Steps:

  1. Create A New Project

After you open Lightworks and sign in, click ‘Create A New Project’ to begin.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Import files

To import your files, click the ‘Local Files’ tab to browse through your computer’s files for a usable video file to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add the Video to the Timeline

Under the Edit tab, move the selected video clip to the content manager window. Move it to the timeline. Use the plus icon in the upper left corner of your screen to zoom in on the content you’re about to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Get Started With the Actual Video Editing

To start, move the mouse cursor over the part of the uploaded video you would like to trim. Clip it out using the brackets. The trimmed-off part will remain enclosed in yellow brackets, while the rest of the video is unmarked. The current screen on your Lightworks editor changes to the Trim View mode. This leaves only the part of the video that has not been cut. Click on the Preview button under Viewer to start playing both videos in sequence.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Once you’ve finished your edits, right click on your Sequence, and go to ‘Export’, with a drop-down menu showing how you would like to export the video. Please select, “/MP4 (Free)”. This will open a window where you should name your newly-edited file and give it a new destination, if necessary. Once you’ve selected and named, hit Start and the video with edits will begin to compile.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

Which Should I Choose: Free or Paid MP4 Editor?

If you’re new in the industry and you want to see if you have potential in editing videos, the use of free MP4 Video Editing Softwares can boost that interest in you. The unlimited navigation without thinking of subscription is the first step. However, understanding the benefits of investing in a high-end video editing solution–which offers amazing tools and features–can do wonders on your work and can even open potential high paying jobs for you.

FAQS:

  1. What are the best MP4 editing softwares?

5 Best MP4 Video Editing Software (How to Convert and Edit MP4 Videos)

  • PowerDirector
  • iMovie
  • Windows Movie Maker
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Final Cut Pro
  1. How do I cut and edit an MP4 video?

Steps to Cut MP4 files

Step 1: Download and install the MP4 video cutter.

Step 2: Import the mp4 file which you want to cut.

Step 3: Set the beginning and end points of the portion you want to save, and click on the Start button.

Step 4: Initiate the MP4 video cutting.

  1. How can I edit MP4 videos for free?

If you’re a Windows user looking for a freeware tool to quickly edit MP4 videos, then VSDC Free Video Editor is worth a look. VSDC Free Video Editor is compatible with almost all known video formats and offers a number of advanced effects and filters, making it a powerful alternative to other Windows MP4 editors.

  1. How can I edit MP4 online?
  • Upload MP4 files. Select an MP4 from your files, then click Upload.
  • Edit your MP4. Using the editor, you can now make any changes you need. Crop, resize, add text, choose music and more using our MP4 cutter & editor.
  • Download & Share your MP4. Once you’re happy with the result, click on Preview & Save.
  1. How do I compress an MP4 file?
  • Choose an MP4 file. First of all, upload an MP4 file you want to compress. You can choose it from your device: Windows, Mac, Android or iPhone.
  • Wait a little bit. Now the tool is processing the video.
  • Download the compressed MP4. Your video is ready now!

Choosing between free or paid video editing software is not as hard as the work itself. Both programs include the basic features you need to create high quality project, along with the advanced tools. Some are built for professional use, others are open for beginners. Thankfully, many editing software are introducing free trials that you can use without worrying about the upcoming subscription.

However, investing in professional and more advanced editing tools is another topic. Nevertheless, these software offer tools that can let you create amazing projects if you know how to navigate them.

Filmora Video Editor is one of the best and easiest editing software out there. It’s fairly fast, easy to learn due to the user-friendly interface, and offers advanced features to keep your content for a year.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

Audio Equalizer

4K Resolution Editing Support

GIF Support

Split Screen

Video And Audio Controls

Layer Multiple Video Clips

Video Stabilization

Color Grading Presets

Advanced Text Editing

Tilt-Shift

Mosaic (Blurring)

Noise Removal

Social Import

Frame By Frame Preview

Speed Control

Audio-Mixer

Chroma Key Backgrounds

Screen Recording

Audio Separation

Scene Detection

Cons:

Watermarkings

Proxy set up

Compatibility of video importing

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and install Filmora, open the app, then choose a dropdown option from the Select Project Aspect Ratio.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Import Media Folder menu in Filmora,

select the folder that contains your files.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Clips

With your library in view, you can now add clips on the timeline by dragging-or-dropping.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Trim and Adjust Your Clips

If you wish to shorten your clips, click on the left or right edges of the clip on the timeline and drag it to shorten it.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Video Effects

With a clip selected, click on the Effects icon at the top of the app. You’ll instantly see a deep visual library of effects that you can add to your project. Just double click on an effect and you’ll add it to the active clip.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Transition In Between Clips

With a clip selected, click on Transitions above the editing area. Double-click on any of the many transition presets in order to blend two clips together.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text Overlays

Click on Titles above the video editor to open the menu. Once the menu is open, you’ll see a selection of text effects, conveniently organized into important categories like titles, lower thirds, and more. Drag-and-drop any of these effects on top of your timeline to add it to the video.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Export Your Video

If you’re ready and want to export your video, you can see the ‘export’ button in view above the editing area. Click the button then choose which format you want to render.

mp4-editor-mac

SHOTCUT

mp4-editor-mac

Shotcut is a completely free, open source editing program that gets the job done with minimal interface complexity.

Features:

Import Video

Keyframing

Cutting and Splicing

Transition

Titles

Effects

Cons:

Interface is not user-friendly

Limited transition

No export presets for devices

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and run Shotcut, open the app, then set a project folder path > name it > select one of the video modes (SD, HD or UHD at different frame rate) > Start.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Open File > select one or several video clips > open. Then drag the videos in the Playlist to the Timeline area for editing.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text

Click “Filters” in the toolbar. Switch from ‘Favorite’ to ‘Video’ tab > scroll down to find ‘Text’ or search ‘Text’ directly. Type in the Text box, choose a font, adjust the size and color.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Crop Video

Click ‘Filters’ in the toolbar > Video > Crop (circle, rectangle or source). Change corner radius and padding color in Crop: rectangle.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Split Video
mp4-editor-mac

Move down to the Timeline area and slide the playhead to where you want to split. Click ‘Split At Playhead’ (right beside the ‘Toggle snapping’ button, or simply press S.

  1. How To Add Transition

Get two videos overlapped and then the transition zone appears. Choose a transition type in ‘Properties’, like Dissolve, Cut, Iris box, Clock top, etc.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Go to ‘File‘ and then ‘Export video’. Choose YouTube for uploading online.

mp4-editor-mac

iMOVIE

mp4-editor-mac

iMovie is Apple’s video editing software that is free and comes preinstalled on Mac computers.

Features:

Effects

Trailer templates

Backgrounds and Transitions

Customizable controls & fine-tuning

Cons:

It takes up a lot of storage space

It can be slow when working with large files

The tool is very basic, so if you are looking for very advanced functionality, look elsewhere

Steps:

  1. Importing Footage into iMovie
mp4-editor-mac

Before you jump onto the timeline, you have to get your individual clips into the program. This process is called Importing. Once you’ve created a new project, all you have to do is click the import button or press ⌘ + I. Then select the video and audio clips you want to edit and click Import Selected.

  1. Change Your Theme

When you created a trailer, you already selected a theme. However, you can add or change this at any time for both videos and trailers. To change you theme, follow this instruction:

To change your theme:

Go into your iMovie project. Click Settings on the right side above the timeline. Choose the button that says No Theme. Next, select a theme for your video. Choose Change.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Transitions

To add a transition, make sure you have two or more clips on your timeline. From there,

click Transitions on the iMovie toolbar, and then choose your transition.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Filters

To add filters, select one or more video clips, choose the Filter and Audio Effects button on the right side of the app, then click None next to the Clip Filter and select your filter.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Title

To add a title, choose the purple marker in the timeline, double-click on the existing text, then type your text and adjust the style.

mp4-editor-mac

AVIDEMUX

mp4-editor-mac

Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks. It is best used for beginners who want quick edits.

Features:

Cutting

Copy Portions of a Video

Remove Portions of a Video

Save Small Parts

Filtering

Video Filters

Audio Filters

Encoding

Custom Scripts

Supports Common Video Formats

Deinterlacing Video

Convert Video To A Smaller Size

Joblist

Project Files

Convert Video For Archiving or Publishing

Cons:
Batch process unavailable

Intricate and confusing cut features

Steps:

How to use Avidemux to crop a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the window.

Step 2: Go to Video>Filters>Crop.

Step 3: Those 4 entry boxes help you set how many pixels to crop and from what direction, showing you to crop the entire video in the way you like.

Step4: click “OK“ to close the filters selection window and save it.

How to use Avidemux to trim a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and add the video to the program by dragging it to the window.

Step2: with the bar below, select the point where you want to start the video and click on the letter “A” and mark point “B” where you want to end (cut) your video.

Step3: Finally from the menu select File>Save>Save Video.

How to use Avidemux to rotate a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the program.

Step 2: select your Video Output file choice in the drop-down menu.

Step 3: open the pop up window referred to as “Filters” and select the filter “Transform”.

Step 4: click the filter “Rotate” and add it (another little window will pop up).

Step 5: Figure out how you want to rotate the video, and then click “OK” and “Close” the Video Filter Manager Window.

Step 6: Save the file.

How to use Avidemux to add text?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: Launch Avidemux and import the source video to the program by dragging it to the interface.

Step 2: Prepare a text file that has all the titles you want to add to your video.

Step 3: Go to the menu bar of your video and choose “filters”.

Step 4: In the filter manager, select ‘subtitles’, and locate the subtitle by clicking on “add” icon before configuring.

Step 5: Save it.

BEST PAID MP4 EDITORS FOR MAC

Investing in professional video editing software will leave us doubtful at times. As we all know that there are paid video editors that will still let us make incredible projects. But if you want to create professional content that will astound your audience and will step up your game, here are the best MP4 video editing software you should start to invest in.

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

mp4-editor-mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is undeniably the standards of every editing softwares in terms of it’s incredible layout and powerful editing tools.

Features:

Simultaneous Projects

Motion Graphics Templates

Shared Projects

VR Editing

VR Rotate Sphere

VR Audio Editing

Effects

Video Titling & Graphics

Transitions

Regional Closed Caption Standards

Labels

Lumetri Support

Type Tool

Libraries

Multiple Video Types

Direct Publishing

Multiple Formats Support

Cons:

Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals

Some techniques require additional applications, such as After Effects or Media Encoder

No sound effect samples included

Steps:

  1. Starting A New Project

After you run the program on your PC, click the Pr logo. Once opened, it will bring up a ‘New Project’ window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Importing Media

After you fill up, you will have to import your media. To do this, you can either press Ctrl + I (Cmd + I on a mac) and select the clips you wish to import, or you can drag and drop video, audio and image files directly from a folder.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Effects

To apply an effect, first you’ll need to navigate to the effects window, which can be done by either selecting the Effects workspace tab at the top of your current workspace, or by switching one of your existing windows over to Effects. Once you’ve found your effect in Effects Controls, you can click the arrow next to its name to expand or collapse its list of parameters, which can be adjusted to achieve your desired effect.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Colour Grading

To do colour grading, you have to access the Basic Correction, either in Effect Controls or on the right hand side of the Color workspace. Once opened, you’ll see options for correcting your footage.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Keyframes

Keyframes can be added by clicking the little diamonds next to your chosen effects in the Effect Controls window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Exporting

To import your project, click FILE > EXPORT > MEDIA or hit Cmd/ Ctrl + M on your keyboard. In the format drop-down list, select . In the preset drop-down list, select the relevant preset. YouTube 1080p Full HD is a good multi-purpose option for videos intended for the internet. Click on the output name to name your film and select the folder in which you wish to save it. Check “Use Maximum Render Quality”, and then click export.

mp4-editor-mac

DA VINCI RESOLVE

mp4-editor-mac

Da Vinci Resolve is every professional editor favorite because of its capable free version and the ease of use it offers.

Features:

GPU/Hardware Accelerated Encoding and Multiple GPUs

4K Resolution Limit & Frame Rates over 60fps

and Accelerated Decoding

Video Noise Reduction and Motion Blur

The DaVinci Neural Engine

No deinterlacing

3:2 Pulldown

There is no HDR Dolby Vision

Lens Correction

3D Stereoscopic Tools, including stereoscopic grading

Cons:

Needs a powerful system to run

Steep learning curve

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you open up DaVinci Resolve, look for the “New Project” button at the bottom of the window. Click it, and the “Create New Project” window will pop up.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Import Media

To import your files, drag and drop your media from the list of folders on your computer in the upper left corner, or open a folder on your computer and drag and drop from there.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Trim Clips

The easiest thing to do to trim your clips is by dragging the lines at the side of your clips in the edit page.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Add Transition
mp4-editor-mac

Click “Effects Library” indicated by the arrow. From the visual effects library, you can look down at the left side for the yellow circle where it says, “Video Transitions.

  1. How To Add Titles

If you look down the list under “Video Transitions,” you will see “Titles.” Click that, choose your title format, and drag and drop where you want it, just like when you added a transition.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Export
mp4-editor-mac

Once your video is complete, click “Deliver,” as indicated by the yellow circle at the bottom.

LIGHTWORKS

mp4-editor-mac

Lightworks is remarkably powerful free video editing software , packed with professional quality tools that will make your clips shine. It’s fast, flexible, and once you get used to its unusual workflow you’ll find it remarkably easy to use.

Features:

Drag-And-Drop Interface

Viewers

Content Management

Video Routing

Color Correction And Blend Modes

Work With Effect Keyframes

Rendering Effects

Apply Color LUTs

Applying Chroma Keys

Fusion Compositor

Boris FX Plug-Ins

Boris FX And Graffiti Pro Bundle

Edit Multicam Sources

Configurable Multiple Monitors

Keyboard Shortcuts

Export

Cons:

Project frame rate limits import

Performance issues

Lacking in effects tools

Limited export options

Steps:

  1. Create A New Project

After you open Lightworks and sign in, click ‘Create A New Project’ to begin.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Import files

To import your files, click the ‘Local Files’ tab to browse through your computer’s files for a usable video file to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add the Video to the Timeline

Under the Edit tab, move the selected video clip to the content manager window. Move it to the timeline. Use the plus icon in the upper left corner of your screen to zoom in on the content you’re about to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Get Started With the Actual Video Editing

To start, move the mouse cursor over the part of the uploaded video you would like to trim. Clip it out using the brackets. The trimmed-off part will remain enclosed in yellow brackets, while the rest of the video is unmarked. The current screen on your Lightworks editor changes to the Trim View mode. This leaves only the part of the video that has not been cut. Click on the Preview button under Viewer to start playing both videos in sequence.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Once you’ve finished your edits, right click on your Sequence, and go to ‘Export’, with a drop-down menu showing how you would like to export the video. Please select, “/MP4 (Free)”. This will open a window where you should name your newly-edited file and give it a new destination, if necessary. Once you’ve selected and named, hit Start and the video with edits will begin to compile.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

Which Should I Choose: Free or Paid MP4 Editor?

If you’re new in the industry and you want to see if you have potential in editing videos, the use of free MP4 Video Editing Softwares can boost that interest in you. The unlimited navigation without thinking of subscription is the first step. However, understanding the benefits of investing in a high-end video editing solution–which offers amazing tools and features–can do wonders on your work and can even open potential high paying jobs for you.

FAQS:

  1. What are the best MP4 editing softwares?

5 Best MP4 Video Editing Software (How to Convert and Edit MP4 Videos)

  • PowerDirector
  • iMovie
  • Windows Movie Maker
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Final Cut Pro
  1. How do I cut and edit an MP4 video?

Steps to Cut MP4 files

Step 1: Download and install the MP4 video cutter.

Step 2: Import the mp4 file which you want to cut.

Step 3: Set the beginning and end points of the portion you want to save, and click on the Start button.

Step 4: Initiate the MP4 video cutting.

  1. How can I edit MP4 videos for free?

If you’re a Windows user looking for a freeware tool to quickly edit MP4 videos, then VSDC Free Video Editor is worth a look. VSDC Free Video Editor is compatible with almost all known video formats and offers a number of advanced effects and filters, making it a powerful alternative to other Windows MP4 editors.

  1. How can I edit MP4 online?
  • Upload MP4 files. Select an MP4 from your files, then click Upload.
  • Edit your MP4. Using the editor, you can now make any changes you need. Crop, resize, add text, choose music and more using our MP4 cutter & editor.
  • Download & Share your MP4. Once you’re happy with the result, click on Preview & Save.
  1. How do I compress an MP4 file?
  • Choose an MP4 file. First of all, upload an MP4 file you want to compress. You can choose it from your device: Windows, Mac, Android or iPhone.
  • Wait a little bit. Now the tool is processing the video.
  • Download the compressed MP4. Your video is ready now!

Choosing between free or paid video editing software is not as hard as the work itself. Both programs include the basic features you need to create high quality project, along with the advanced tools. Some are built for professional use, others are open for beginners. Thankfully, many editing software are introducing free trials that you can use without worrying about the upcoming subscription.

However, investing in professional and more advanced editing tools is another topic. Nevertheless, these software offer tools that can let you create amazing projects if you know how to navigate them.

Filmora Video Editor is one of the best and easiest editing software out there. It’s fairly fast, easy to learn due to the user-friendly interface, and offers advanced features to keep your content for a year.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

Audio Equalizer

4K Resolution Editing Support

GIF Support

Split Screen

Video And Audio Controls

Layer Multiple Video Clips

Video Stabilization

Color Grading Presets

Advanced Text Editing

Tilt-Shift

Mosaic (Blurring)

Noise Removal

Social Import

Frame By Frame Preview

Speed Control

Audio-Mixer

Chroma Key Backgrounds

Screen Recording

Audio Separation

Scene Detection

Cons:

Watermarkings

Proxy set up

Compatibility of video importing

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and install Filmora, open the app, then choose a dropdown option from the Select Project Aspect Ratio.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Import Media Folder menu in Filmora,

select the folder that contains your files.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Clips

With your library in view, you can now add clips on the timeline by dragging-or-dropping.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Trim and Adjust Your Clips

If you wish to shorten your clips, click on the left or right edges of the clip on the timeline and drag it to shorten it.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Video Effects

With a clip selected, click on the Effects icon at the top of the app. You’ll instantly see a deep visual library of effects that you can add to your project. Just double click on an effect and you’ll add it to the active clip.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Transition In Between Clips

With a clip selected, click on Transitions above the editing area. Double-click on any of the many transition presets in order to blend two clips together.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text Overlays

Click on Titles above the video editor to open the menu. Once the menu is open, you’ll see a selection of text effects, conveniently organized into important categories like titles, lower thirds, and more. Drag-and-drop any of these effects on top of your timeline to add it to the video.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Export Your Video

If you’re ready and want to export your video, you can see the ‘export’ button in view above the editing area. Click the button then choose which format you want to render.

mp4-editor-mac

SHOTCUT

mp4-editor-mac

Shotcut is a completely free, open source editing program that gets the job done with minimal interface complexity.

Features:

Import Video

Keyframing

Cutting and Splicing

Transition

Titles

Effects

Cons:

Interface is not user-friendly

Limited transition

No export presets for devices

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and run Shotcut, open the app, then set a project folder path > name it > select one of the video modes (SD, HD or UHD at different frame rate) > Start.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Open File > select one or several video clips > open. Then drag the videos in the Playlist to the Timeline area for editing.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text

Click “Filters” in the toolbar. Switch from ‘Favorite’ to ‘Video’ tab > scroll down to find ‘Text’ or search ‘Text’ directly. Type in the Text box, choose a font, adjust the size and color.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Crop Video

Click ‘Filters’ in the toolbar > Video > Crop (circle, rectangle or source). Change corner radius and padding color in Crop: rectangle.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Split Video
mp4-editor-mac

Move down to the Timeline area and slide the playhead to where you want to split. Click ‘Split At Playhead’ (right beside the ‘Toggle snapping’ button, or simply press S.

  1. How To Add Transition

Get two videos overlapped and then the transition zone appears. Choose a transition type in ‘Properties’, like Dissolve, Cut, Iris box, Clock top, etc.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Go to ‘File‘ and then ‘Export video’. Choose YouTube for uploading online.

mp4-editor-mac

iMOVIE

mp4-editor-mac

iMovie is Apple’s video editing software that is free and comes preinstalled on Mac computers.

Features:

Effects

Trailer templates

Backgrounds and Transitions

Customizable controls & fine-tuning

Cons:

It takes up a lot of storage space

It can be slow when working with large files

The tool is very basic, so if you are looking for very advanced functionality, look elsewhere

Steps:

  1. Importing Footage into iMovie
mp4-editor-mac

Before you jump onto the timeline, you have to get your individual clips into the program. This process is called Importing. Once you’ve created a new project, all you have to do is click the import button or press ⌘ + I. Then select the video and audio clips you want to edit and click Import Selected.

  1. Change Your Theme

When you created a trailer, you already selected a theme. However, you can add or change this at any time for both videos and trailers. To change you theme, follow this instruction:

To change your theme:

Go into your iMovie project. Click Settings on the right side above the timeline. Choose the button that says No Theme. Next, select a theme for your video. Choose Change.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Transitions

To add a transition, make sure you have two or more clips on your timeline. From there,

click Transitions on the iMovie toolbar, and then choose your transition.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Filters

To add filters, select one or more video clips, choose the Filter and Audio Effects button on the right side of the app, then click None next to the Clip Filter and select your filter.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Title

To add a title, choose the purple marker in the timeline, double-click on the existing text, then type your text and adjust the style.

mp4-editor-mac

AVIDEMUX

mp4-editor-mac

Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks. It is best used for beginners who want quick edits.

Features:

Cutting

Copy Portions of a Video

Remove Portions of a Video

Save Small Parts

Filtering

Video Filters

Audio Filters

Encoding

Custom Scripts

Supports Common Video Formats

Deinterlacing Video

Convert Video To A Smaller Size

Joblist

Project Files

Convert Video For Archiving or Publishing

Cons:
Batch process unavailable

Intricate and confusing cut features

Steps:

How to use Avidemux to crop a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the window.

Step 2: Go to Video>Filters>Crop.

Step 3: Those 4 entry boxes help you set how many pixels to crop and from what direction, showing you to crop the entire video in the way you like.

Step4: click “OK“ to close the filters selection window and save it.

How to use Avidemux to trim a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and add the video to the program by dragging it to the window.

Step2: with the bar below, select the point where you want to start the video and click on the letter “A” and mark point “B” where you want to end (cut) your video.

Step3: Finally from the menu select File>Save>Save Video.

How to use Avidemux to rotate a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the program.

Step 2: select your Video Output file choice in the drop-down menu.

Step 3: open the pop up window referred to as “Filters” and select the filter “Transform”.

Step 4: click the filter “Rotate” and add it (another little window will pop up).

Step 5: Figure out how you want to rotate the video, and then click “OK” and “Close” the Video Filter Manager Window.

Step 6: Save the file.

How to use Avidemux to add text?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: Launch Avidemux and import the source video to the program by dragging it to the interface.

Step 2: Prepare a text file that has all the titles you want to add to your video.

Step 3: Go to the menu bar of your video and choose “filters”.

Step 4: In the filter manager, select ‘subtitles’, and locate the subtitle by clicking on “add” icon before configuring.

Step 5: Save it.

BEST PAID MP4 EDITORS FOR MAC

Investing in professional video editing software will leave us doubtful at times. As we all know that there are paid video editors that will still let us make incredible projects. But if you want to create professional content that will astound your audience and will step up your game, here are the best MP4 video editing software you should start to invest in.

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

mp4-editor-mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is undeniably the standards of every editing softwares in terms of it’s incredible layout and powerful editing tools.

Features:

Simultaneous Projects

Motion Graphics Templates

Shared Projects

VR Editing

VR Rotate Sphere

VR Audio Editing

Effects

Video Titling & Graphics

Transitions

Regional Closed Caption Standards

Labels

Lumetri Support

Type Tool

Libraries

Multiple Video Types

Direct Publishing

Multiple Formats Support

Cons:

Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals

Some techniques require additional applications, such as After Effects or Media Encoder

No sound effect samples included

Steps:

  1. Starting A New Project

After you run the program on your PC, click the Pr logo. Once opened, it will bring up a ‘New Project’ window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Importing Media

After you fill up, you will have to import your media. To do this, you can either press Ctrl + I (Cmd + I on a mac) and select the clips you wish to import, or you can drag and drop video, audio and image files directly from a folder.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Effects

To apply an effect, first you’ll need to navigate to the effects window, which can be done by either selecting the Effects workspace tab at the top of your current workspace, or by switching one of your existing windows over to Effects. Once you’ve found your effect in Effects Controls, you can click the arrow next to its name to expand or collapse its list of parameters, which can be adjusted to achieve your desired effect.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Colour Grading

To do colour grading, you have to access the Basic Correction, either in Effect Controls or on the right hand side of the Color workspace. Once opened, you’ll see options for correcting your footage.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Keyframes

Keyframes can be added by clicking the little diamonds next to your chosen effects in the Effect Controls window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Exporting

To import your project, click FILE > EXPORT > MEDIA or hit Cmd/ Ctrl + M on your keyboard. In the format drop-down list, select . In the preset drop-down list, select the relevant preset. YouTube 1080p Full HD is a good multi-purpose option for videos intended for the internet. Click on the output name to name your film and select the folder in which you wish to save it. Check “Use Maximum Render Quality”, and then click export.

mp4-editor-mac

DA VINCI RESOLVE

mp4-editor-mac

Da Vinci Resolve is every professional editor favorite because of its capable free version and the ease of use it offers.

Features:

GPU/Hardware Accelerated Encoding and Multiple GPUs

4K Resolution Limit & Frame Rates over 60fps

and Accelerated Decoding

Video Noise Reduction and Motion Blur

The DaVinci Neural Engine

No deinterlacing

3:2 Pulldown

There is no HDR Dolby Vision

Lens Correction

3D Stereoscopic Tools, including stereoscopic grading

Cons:

Needs a powerful system to run

Steep learning curve

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you open up DaVinci Resolve, look for the “New Project” button at the bottom of the window. Click it, and the “Create New Project” window will pop up.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Import Media

To import your files, drag and drop your media from the list of folders on your computer in the upper left corner, or open a folder on your computer and drag and drop from there.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Trim Clips

The easiest thing to do to trim your clips is by dragging the lines at the side of your clips in the edit page.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Add Transition
mp4-editor-mac

Click “Effects Library” indicated by the arrow. From the visual effects library, you can look down at the left side for the yellow circle where it says, “Video Transitions.

  1. How To Add Titles

If you look down the list under “Video Transitions,” you will see “Titles.” Click that, choose your title format, and drag and drop where you want it, just like when you added a transition.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Export
mp4-editor-mac

Once your video is complete, click “Deliver,” as indicated by the yellow circle at the bottom.

LIGHTWORKS

mp4-editor-mac

Lightworks is remarkably powerful free video editing software , packed with professional quality tools that will make your clips shine. It’s fast, flexible, and once you get used to its unusual workflow you’ll find it remarkably easy to use.

Features:

Drag-And-Drop Interface

Viewers

Content Management

Video Routing

Color Correction And Blend Modes

Work With Effect Keyframes

Rendering Effects

Apply Color LUTs

Applying Chroma Keys

Fusion Compositor

Boris FX Plug-Ins

Boris FX And Graffiti Pro Bundle

Edit Multicam Sources

Configurable Multiple Monitors

Keyboard Shortcuts

Export

Cons:

Project frame rate limits import

Performance issues

Lacking in effects tools

Limited export options

Steps:

  1. Create A New Project

After you open Lightworks and sign in, click ‘Create A New Project’ to begin.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Import files

To import your files, click the ‘Local Files’ tab to browse through your computer’s files for a usable video file to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add the Video to the Timeline

Under the Edit tab, move the selected video clip to the content manager window. Move it to the timeline. Use the plus icon in the upper left corner of your screen to zoom in on the content you’re about to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Get Started With the Actual Video Editing

To start, move the mouse cursor over the part of the uploaded video you would like to trim. Clip it out using the brackets. The trimmed-off part will remain enclosed in yellow brackets, while the rest of the video is unmarked. The current screen on your Lightworks editor changes to the Trim View mode. This leaves only the part of the video that has not been cut. Click on the Preview button under Viewer to start playing both videos in sequence.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Once you’ve finished your edits, right click on your Sequence, and go to ‘Export’, with a drop-down menu showing how you would like to export the video. Please select, “/MP4 (Free)”. This will open a window where you should name your newly-edited file and give it a new destination, if necessary. Once you’ve selected and named, hit Start and the video with edits will begin to compile.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

Which Should I Choose: Free or Paid MP4 Editor?

If you’re new in the industry and you want to see if you have potential in editing videos, the use of free MP4 Video Editing Softwares can boost that interest in you. The unlimited navigation without thinking of subscription is the first step. However, understanding the benefits of investing in a high-end video editing solution–which offers amazing tools and features–can do wonders on your work and can even open potential high paying jobs for you.

FAQS:

  1. What are the best MP4 editing softwares?

5 Best MP4 Video Editing Software (How to Convert and Edit MP4 Videos)

  • PowerDirector
  • iMovie
  • Windows Movie Maker
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Final Cut Pro
  1. How do I cut and edit an MP4 video?

Steps to Cut MP4 files

Step 1: Download and install the MP4 video cutter.

Step 2: Import the mp4 file which you want to cut.

Step 3: Set the beginning and end points of the portion you want to save, and click on the Start button.

Step 4: Initiate the MP4 video cutting.

  1. How can I edit MP4 videos for free?

If you’re a Windows user looking for a freeware tool to quickly edit MP4 videos, then VSDC Free Video Editor is worth a look. VSDC Free Video Editor is compatible with almost all known video formats and offers a number of advanced effects and filters, making it a powerful alternative to other Windows MP4 editors.

  1. How can I edit MP4 online?
  • Upload MP4 files. Select an MP4 from your files, then click Upload.
  • Edit your MP4. Using the editor, you can now make any changes you need. Crop, resize, add text, choose music and more using our MP4 cutter & editor.
  • Download & Share your MP4. Once you’re happy with the result, click on Preview & Save.
  1. How do I compress an MP4 file?
  • Choose an MP4 file. First of all, upload an MP4 file you want to compress. You can choose it from your device: Windows, Mac, Android or iPhone.
  • Wait a little bit. Now the tool is processing the video.
  • Download the compressed MP4. Your video is ready now!

Choosing between free or paid video editing software is not as hard as the work itself. Both programs include the basic features you need to create high quality project, along with the advanced tools. Some are built for professional use, others are open for beginners. Thankfully, many editing software are introducing free trials that you can use without worrying about the upcoming subscription.

However, investing in professional and more advanced editing tools is another topic. Nevertheless, these software offer tools that can let you create amazing projects if you know how to navigate them.

Filmora Video Editor is one of the best and easiest editing software out there. It’s fairly fast, easy to learn due to the user-friendly interface, and offers advanced features to keep your content for a year.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

Audio Equalizer

4K Resolution Editing Support

GIF Support

Split Screen

Video And Audio Controls

Layer Multiple Video Clips

Video Stabilization

Color Grading Presets

Advanced Text Editing

Tilt-Shift

Mosaic (Blurring)

Noise Removal

Social Import

Frame By Frame Preview

Speed Control

Audio-Mixer

Chroma Key Backgrounds

Screen Recording

Audio Separation

Scene Detection

Cons:

Watermarkings

Proxy set up

Compatibility of video importing

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and install Filmora, open the app, then choose a dropdown option from the Select Project Aspect Ratio.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Import Media Folder menu in Filmora,

select the folder that contains your files.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Clips

With your library in view, you can now add clips on the timeline by dragging-or-dropping.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Trim and Adjust Your Clips

If you wish to shorten your clips, click on the left or right edges of the clip on the timeline and drag it to shorten it.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Video Effects

With a clip selected, click on the Effects icon at the top of the app. You’ll instantly see a deep visual library of effects that you can add to your project. Just double click on an effect and you’ll add it to the active clip.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Transition In Between Clips

With a clip selected, click on Transitions above the editing area. Double-click on any of the many transition presets in order to blend two clips together.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text Overlays

Click on Titles above the video editor to open the menu. Once the menu is open, you’ll see a selection of text effects, conveniently organized into important categories like titles, lower thirds, and more. Drag-and-drop any of these effects on top of your timeline to add it to the video.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Export Your Video

If you’re ready and want to export your video, you can see the ‘export’ button in view above the editing area. Click the button then choose which format you want to render.

mp4-editor-mac

SHOTCUT

mp4-editor-mac

Shotcut is a completely free, open source editing program that gets the job done with minimal interface complexity.

Features:

Import Video

Keyframing

Cutting and Splicing

Transition

Titles

Effects

Cons:

Interface is not user-friendly

Limited transition

No export presets for devices

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you download and run Shotcut, open the app, then set a project folder path > name it > select one of the video modes (SD, HD or UHD at different frame rate) > Start.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Import Your Media

To import your files, go to File > Open File > select one or several video clips > open. Then drag the videos in the Playlist to the Timeline area for editing.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Add Text

Click “Filters” in the toolbar. Switch from ‘Favorite’ to ‘Video’ tab > scroll down to find ‘Text’ or search ‘Text’ directly. Type in the Text box, choose a font, adjust the size and color.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Crop Video

Click ‘Filters’ in the toolbar > Video > Crop (circle, rectangle or source). Change corner radius and padding color in Crop: rectangle.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Split Video
mp4-editor-mac

Move down to the Timeline area and slide the playhead to where you want to split. Click ‘Split At Playhead’ (right beside the ‘Toggle snapping’ button, or simply press S.

  1. How To Add Transition

Get two videos overlapped and then the transition zone appears. Choose a transition type in ‘Properties’, like Dissolve, Cut, Iris box, Clock top, etc.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Go to ‘File‘ and then ‘Export video’. Choose YouTube for uploading online.

mp4-editor-mac

iMOVIE

mp4-editor-mac

iMovie is Apple’s video editing software that is free and comes preinstalled on Mac computers.

Features:

Effects

Trailer templates

Backgrounds and Transitions

Customizable controls & fine-tuning

Cons:

It takes up a lot of storage space

It can be slow when working with large files

The tool is very basic, so if you are looking for very advanced functionality, look elsewhere

Steps:

  1. Importing Footage into iMovie
mp4-editor-mac

Before you jump onto the timeline, you have to get your individual clips into the program. This process is called Importing. Once you’ve created a new project, all you have to do is click the import button or press ⌘ + I. Then select the video and audio clips you want to edit and click Import Selected.

  1. Change Your Theme

When you created a trailer, you already selected a theme. However, you can add or change this at any time for both videos and trailers. To change you theme, follow this instruction:

To change your theme:

Go into your iMovie project. Click Settings on the right side above the timeline. Choose the button that says No Theme. Next, select a theme for your video. Choose Change.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Transitions

To add a transition, make sure you have two or more clips on your timeline. From there,

click Transitions on the iMovie toolbar, and then choose your transition.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Filters

To add filters, select one or more video clips, choose the Filter and Audio Effects button on the right side of the app, then click None next to the Clip Filter and select your filter.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Title

To add a title, choose the purple marker in the timeline, double-click on the existing text, then type your text and adjust the style.

mp4-editor-mac

AVIDEMUX

mp4-editor-mac

Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks. It is best used for beginners who want quick edits.

Features:

Cutting

Copy Portions of a Video

Remove Portions of a Video

Save Small Parts

Filtering

Video Filters

Audio Filters

Encoding

Custom Scripts

Supports Common Video Formats

Deinterlacing Video

Convert Video To A Smaller Size

Joblist

Project Files

Convert Video For Archiving or Publishing

Cons:
Batch process unavailable

Intricate and confusing cut features

Steps:

How to use Avidemux to crop a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the window.

Step 2: Go to Video>Filters>Crop.

Step 3: Those 4 entry boxes help you set how many pixels to crop and from what direction, showing you to crop the entire video in the way you like.

Step4: click “OK“ to close the filters selection window and save it.

How to use Avidemux to trim a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step1: launch Avidemux and add the video to the program by dragging it to the window.

Step2: with the bar below, select the point where you want to start the video and click on the letter “A” and mark point “B” where you want to end (cut) your video.

Step3: Finally from the menu select File>Save>Save Video.

How to use Avidemux to rotate a video?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: launch Avidemux and drag the video you want to edit into the program.

Step 2: select your Video Output file choice in the drop-down menu.

Step 3: open the pop up window referred to as “Filters” and select the filter “Transform”.

Step 4: click the filter “Rotate” and add it (another little window will pop up).

Step 5: Figure out how you want to rotate the video, and then click “OK” and “Close” the Video Filter Manager Window.

Step 6: Save the file.

How to use Avidemux to add text?

mp4-editor-mac

Step 1: Launch Avidemux and import the source video to the program by dragging it to the interface.

Step 2: Prepare a text file that has all the titles you want to add to your video.

Step 3: Go to the menu bar of your video and choose “filters”.

Step 4: In the filter manager, select ‘subtitles’, and locate the subtitle by clicking on “add” icon before configuring.

Step 5: Save it.

BEST PAID MP4 EDITORS FOR MAC

Investing in professional video editing software will leave us doubtful at times. As we all know that there are paid video editors that will still let us make incredible projects. But if you want to create professional content that will astound your audience and will step up your game, here are the best MP4 video editing software you should start to invest in.

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

mp4-editor-mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is undeniably the standards of every editing softwares in terms of it’s incredible layout and powerful editing tools.

Features:

Simultaneous Projects

Motion Graphics Templates

Shared Projects

VR Editing

VR Rotate Sphere

VR Audio Editing

Effects

Video Titling & Graphics

Transitions

Regional Closed Caption Standards

Labels

Lumetri Support

Type Tool

Libraries

Multiple Video Types

Direct Publishing

Multiple Formats Support

Cons:

Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals

Some techniques require additional applications, such as After Effects or Media Encoder

No sound effect samples included

Steps:

  1. Starting A New Project

After you run the program on your PC, click the Pr logo. Once opened, it will bring up a ‘New Project’ window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Importing Media

After you fill up, you will have to import your media. To do this, you can either press Ctrl + I (Cmd + I on a mac) and select the clips you wish to import, or you can drag and drop video, audio and image files directly from a folder.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add Effects

To apply an effect, first you’ll need to navigate to the effects window, which can be done by either selecting the Effects workspace tab at the top of your current workspace, or by switching one of your existing windows over to Effects. Once you’ve found your effect in Effects Controls, you can click the arrow next to its name to expand or collapse its list of parameters, which can be adjusted to achieve your desired effect.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Colour Grading

To do colour grading, you have to access the Basic Correction, either in Effect Controls or on the right hand side of the Color workspace. Once opened, you’ll see options for correcting your footage.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. Keyframes

Keyframes can be added by clicking the little diamonds next to your chosen effects in the Effect Controls window.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Exporting

To import your project, click FILE > EXPORT > MEDIA or hit Cmd/ Ctrl + M on your keyboard. In the format drop-down list, select . In the preset drop-down list, select the relevant preset. YouTube 1080p Full HD is a good multi-purpose option for videos intended for the internet. Click on the output name to name your film and select the folder in which you wish to save it. Check “Use Maximum Render Quality”, and then click export.

mp4-editor-mac

DA VINCI RESOLVE

mp4-editor-mac

Da Vinci Resolve is every professional editor favorite because of its capable free version and the ease of use it offers.

Features:

GPU/Hardware Accelerated Encoding and Multiple GPUs

4K Resolution Limit & Frame Rates over 60fps

and Accelerated Decoding

Video Noise Reduction and Motion Blur

The DaVinci Neural Engine

No deinterlacing

3:2 Pulldown

There is no HDR Dolby Vision

Lens Correction

3D Stereoscopic Tools, including stereoscopic grading

Cons:

Needs a powerful system to run

Steep learning curve

Steps:

  1. Start A New Project

After you open up DaVinci Resolve, look for the “New Project” button at the bottom of the window. Click it, and the “Create New Project” window will pop up.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Import Media

To import your files, drag and drop your media from the list of folders on your computer in the upper left corner, or open a folder on your computer and drag and drop from there.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Trim Clips

The easiest thing to do to trim your clips is by dragging the lines at the side of your clips in the edit page.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. How To Add Transition
mp4-editor-mac

Click “Effects Library” indicated by the arrow. From the visual effects library, you can look down at the left side for the yellow circle where it says, “Video Transitions.

  1. How To Add Titles

If you look down the list under “Video Transitions,” you will see “Titles.” Click that, choose your title format, and drag and drop where you want it, just like when you added a transition.

mp4-editor-mac
  1. How To Export
mp4-editor-mac

Once your video is complete, click “Deliver,” as indicated by the yellow circle at the bottom.

LIGHTWORKS

mp4-editor-mac

Lightworks is remarkably powerful free video editing software , packed with professional quality tools that will make your clips shine. It’s fast, flexible, and once you get used to its unusual workflow you’ll find it remarkably easy to use.

Features:

Drag-And-Drop Interface

Viewers

Content Management

Video Routing

Color Correction And Blend Modes

Work With Effect Keyframes

Rendering Effects

Apply Color LUTs

Applying Chroma Keys

Fusion Compositor

Boris FX Plug-Ins

Boris FX And Graffiti Pro Bundle

Edit Multicam Sources

Configurable Multiple Monitors

Keyboard Shortcuts

Export

Cons:

Project frame rate limits import

Performance issues

Lacking in effects tools

Limited export options

Steps:

  1. Create A New Project

After you open Lightworks and sign in, click ‘Create A New Project’ to begin.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Import files

To import your files, click the ‘Local Files’ tab to browse through your computer’s files for a usable video file to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Add the Video to the Timeline

Under the Edit tab, move the selected video clip to the content manager window. Move it to the timeline. Use the plus icon in the upper left corner of your screen to zoom in on the content you’re about to edit.

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Get Started With the Actual Video Editing

To start, move the mouse cursor over the part of the uploaded video you would like to trim. Clip it out using the brackets. The trimmed-off part will remain enclosed in yellow brackets, while the rest of the video is unmarked. The current screen on your Lightworks editor changes to the Trim View mode. This leaves only the part of the video that has not been cut. Click on the Preview button under Viewer to start playing both videos in sequence.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

  1. Export Your Video

Once you’ve finished your edits, right click on your Sequence, and go to ‘Export’, with a drop-down menu showing how you would like to export the video. Please select, “/MP4 (Free)”. This will open a window where you should name your newly-edited file and give it a new destination, if necessary. Once you’ve selected and named, hit Start and the video with edits will begin to compile.

mp4-editor-mac

mp4-editor-mac

Which Should I Choose: Free or Paid MP4 Editor?

If you’re new in the industry and you want to see if you have potential in editing videos, the use of free MP4 Video Editing Softwares can boost that interest in you. The unlimited navigation without thinking of subscription is the first step. However, understanding the benefits of investing in a high-end video editing solution–which offers amazing tools and features–can do wonders on your work and can even open potential high paying jobs for you.

FAQS:

  1. What are the best MP4 editing softwares?

5 Best MP4 Video Editing Software (How to Convert and Edit MP4 Videos)

  • PowerDirector
  • iMovie
  • Windows Movie Maker
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Final Cut Pro
  1. How do I cut and edit an MP4 video?

Steps to Cut MP4 files

Step 1: Download and install the MP4 video cutter.

Step 2: Import the mp4 file which you want to cut.

Step 3: Set the beginning and end points of the portion you want to save, and click on the Start button.

Step 4: Initiate the MP4 video cutting.

  1. How can I edit MP4 videos for free?

If you’re a Windows user looking for a freeware tool to quickly edit MP4 videos, then VSDC Free Video Editor is worth a look. VSDC Free Video Editor is compatible with almost all known video formats and offers a number of advanced effects and filters, making it a powerful alternative to other Windows MP4 editors.

  1. How can I edit MP4 online?
  • Upload MP4 files. Select an MP4 from your files, then click Upload.
  • Edit your MP4. Using the editor, you can now make any changes you need. Crop, resize, add text, choose music and more using our MP4 cutter & editor.
  • Download & Share your MP4. Once you’re happy with the result, click on Preview & Save.
  1. How do I compress an MP4 file?
  • Choose an MP4 file. First of all, upload an MP4 file you want to compress. You can choose it from your device: Windows, Mac, Android or iPhone.
  • Wait a little bit. Now the tool is processing the video.
  • Download the compressed MP4. Your video is ready now!

Choosing between free or paid video editing software is not as hard as the work itself. Both programs include the basic features you need to create high quality project, along with the advanced tools. Some are built for professional use, others are open for beginners. Thankfully, many editing software are introducing free trials that you can use without worrying about the upcoming subscription.

However, investing in professional and more advanced editing tools is another topic. Nevertheless, these software offer tools that can let you create amazing projects if you know how to navigate them.

Do You Want to Add a Slow-Mo Effect in Your Videos? In This Guide, We Will Discuss How to Add Slow-Motion Effects in the Videos with After Effects in an Efficient Way

A slow-motion effect in the videos can enhance the viewing experience. It can highlight a certain action by providing closer details. Moreover, it also evokes an emotional impact in any video scene. Along with creating a dramatic effect, a slow-mo effect also brings aesthetic appeal. Thus, the slow-motion effect can grasp the attention of the audience in an effortless manner.

This article will discuss how to create a slow-motion effect with Adobe After Effects. It’s a well-recognized tool for modifying videos with its powerful features. Hence, keep reading this guide to learn about After Effects slow motion.

Slow Motion Video Maker Slow your video’s speed with better control of your keyframes to create unique cinematic effects!

Make A Slow Motion Video Make A Slow Motion Video More Features

Wondershare Filmora

Part 1: What Does A Perfect Slow Motion Video Contains?

To create a perfect slow-motion video, you must consider several factors. In this section, you can come across some elements through which you can generate an accurate slow-motion effect.

  • Resolution: Make sure to record your video in high resolution. By doing so, the slow-motion effect will add more visual clarity. Thus, the minimum resolution should be 1080p or 4K.
  • Accurate Lighting: Perfect lighting can make a video look impactful. You can either use natural or artificial lighting to make a well-exposed slow-mo effect.
  • Choosing Subject: To grasp the attention, choose the subject carefully. A slow-motion effect in sports activities or water droplets can look eye-catching. Thus, you should choose a subject that looks appealing in a slow-mo effect.
  • Sound Selection: A slow-mo effect will look more convincing with a relevant sound design. You should search for slow-mo sound effects to generate attractive results. Also, ensure that the speed of sound effects with the video is managed smartly.
  • Frame Rate: A frame rate plays a vital role in creating slow-motion effect. Higher frame rates influence a smooth, slow-motion effect. Thus, use 240fps or higher to create a seamless slow-mo effect.

Part 2: Creating Slow Motion Effect in Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a famous program used in post-production of video making. It contains many motion graphics effects to enhance a video. You can add animated shapes and text to the video with this tool. Many people use this platform to create VFX in their videos to create stunning videos. It also supports 2D and 3D elements to produce realistic effects.

Furthermore, it offers many tools for compositing and keying. Users can change the color patterns in their videos with this robust software. Moreover, it can create After Effects slow motion with perfect accuracy. You can manually adjust the timing and speed of the slow-motion effect with this tool. Thus, Adobe After Effects is a comprehensive tool for video editing.

Here are the instructions that can guide you to produce slow-motion effects After Effects. Thus, let’s dig into the details:

Step 1

Start by uploading a video on After Effects. Drag it to the timeline and edit it in a desired manner. Now, place the cursor in the timeline to begin the process. Right-click on the timeline layer and select “Time” from the pop-up menu. From there, select “Time Stretch.” It will open a Time Stretch window on the screen.

open time stretch feature

Step 2

On the Time Stretch window, make the “Stretch Factor” value to 250. Once done, press the “OK” button.

change stretch factor

Step 3

For high-quality results, enable the “Frame Blending” option. Right-click on the layer and select “Frame Blending” from the pop-up menu. Here, you can select two options: Frame Mix and Pixel Motion. After the frame blending, you can render the final output. Select a suitable format and then export the video.

introduce frame blending

Part 3: Quick and Unique Alternative: Making Slow Motion Effect with Wondershare Filmora

An excellent alternative to After Effects is Wondershare Filmora . With the release of its Volume 13, you can enjoy many premium features. To boost your productivity, the tool offers many AI features. You can use its AI copywriting feature to produce video outlines. By doing so, you can have AI-generated content for video production. Furthermore, it provides a smooth performance with its robust interface.

It contains a wide range of filters and overlays. It also allows you to apply transitions in the video clip from various options. To replace backgrounds in the video, try its Green Screen feature. This advanced feature can add realistic backgrounds to the videos easily. Moreover, you can color-correct the video to add perfect exposure properties. You can modify brightness, saturation, and other elements in the color-correct options.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

How to Add Slow-Motion Effect With Filmora

Are you ready to create a slow-mo effect in Filmora? Read the following section to learn how to create a slow-motion effect using this tool.

Step 1: Select New Project

Begin by launching this desktop tool on your PC. Choose the “Profile” icon from the top and sign into the tool. Continue to select the “New Project” button on the main screen to open a new editing window.

open new filmora project

Step 2: Import Video to Filmora

On the main interface, press “Ctrl + I” from your keyboard. By doing so, you can import the video clip from your PC. Once done, drag and drop the imported video to the timeline.

add video to timeline

Step 3: Choose Optical Flow

Now, select the video you have dragged to the timeline. Go to the right panel and choose the “Speed” tab. Look through the “Uniform Speed” tab and look for the “AI Frame Interpolation” option. By expanding this option, choose “Optical Flow.”

access speed ramping open optical flow

Step 4: Render and Export the Video

Now, head to the toolbar of the timeline. From there, tap on “Render Preview,” through which you can see the final results. Once done, you can export the video to the desired platform.

finalize and export video

With the new upgrade, you can add an accurate slow-mo effect from Filmora. It uses AI technology to achieve the best results. Hence, this editing tool is a game-changer in the video production industry.

Exceptional Features of Filmora

  • AI Music Generator: This tool allows you to create custom music sounds. To do so, select your music style and genre from the given options. Afterward, you can edit the music by adjusting its volume and other parameters.

  • Screen Recorder: Do you want to capture the on-screen activities of your PC? The screen recorder of this software can capture any area of the screen. It also allows webcam and microphone recording. Afterward, you can edit the screen recording with its basic tools.

  • Silence Detection: To add more clarity to your videos, try the Silence Detection feature. This option removes the silent parts from your video. The process is automatic and does not need your manual efforts. Thus, with a single tap, you can eradicate unwanted parts from the video.

  • Speech-to-Text: The STT feature transcribes the video in the selected language. You can add subtitles to the videos in up to 26 languages. This feature increases your editing efficiency and offers great accuracy.

Conclusion

A slow-motion effect can highlight an action in a video clip. It can engage the viewers by generating a cinematic impact. The After Effects is a common program to add a slow-mo effect in videos. However, to create a more captivating slow-motion effect, we suggest Filmora. Its latest version has introduced many premium features for video editing. With AI algorithms, you can add a smooth, slow-motion effect to your videos. The process is automatic, which saves you from manual work.

Make A Slow Motion Video Make A Slow Motion Video More Features

Wondershare Filmora

Part 1: What Does A Perfect Slow Motion Video Contains?

To create a perfect slow-motion video, you must consider several factors. In this section, you can come across some elements through which you can generate an accurate slow-motion effect.

  • Resolution: Make sure to record your video in high resolution. By doing so, the slow-motion effect will add more visual clarity. Thus, the minimum resolution should be 1080p or 4K.
  • Accurate Lighting: Perfect lighting can make a video look impactful. You can either use natural or artificial lighting to make a well-exposed slow-mo effect.
  • Choosing Subject: To grasp the attention, choose the subject carefully. A slow-motion effect in sports activities or water droplets can look eye-catching. Thus, you should choose a subject that looks appealing in a slow-mo effect.
  • Sound Selection: A slow-mo effect will look more convincing with a relevant sound design. You should search for slow-mo sound effects to generate attractive results. Also, ensure that the speed of sound effects with the video is managed smartly.
  • Frame Rate: A frame rate plays a vital role in creating slow-motion effect. Higher frame rates influence a smooth, slow-motion effect. Thus, use 240fps or higher to create a seamless slow-mo effect.

Part 2: Creating Slow Motion Effect in Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a famous program used in post-production of video making. It contains many motion graphics effects to enhance a video. You can add animated shapes and text to the video with this tool. Many people use this platform to create VFX in their videos to create stunning videos. It also supports 2D and 3D elements to produce realistic effects.

Furthermore, it offers many tools for compositing and keying. Users can change the color patterns in their videos with this robust software. Moreover, it can create After Effects slow motion with perfect accuracy. You can manually adjust the timing and speed of the slow-motion effect with this tool. Thus, Adobe After Effects is a comprehensive tool for video editing.

Here are the instructions that can guide you to produce slow-motion effects After Effects. Thus, let’s dig into the details:

Step 1

Start by uploading a video on After Effects. Drag it to the timeline and edit it in a desired manner. Now, place the cursor in the timeline to begin the process. Right-click on the timeline layer and select “Time” from the pop-up menu. From there, select “Time Stretch.” It will open a Time Stretch window on the screen.

open time stretch feature

Step 2

On the Time Stretch window, make the “Stretch Factor” value to 250. Once done, press the “OK” button.

change stretch factor

Step 3

For high-quality results, enable the “Frame Blending” option. Right-click on the layer and select “Frame Blending” from the pop-up menu. Here, you can select two options: Frame Mix and Pixel Motion. After the frame blending, you can render the final output. Select a suitable format and then export the video.

introduce frame blending

Part 3: Quick and Unique Alternative: Making Slow Motion Effect with Wondershare Filmora

An excellent alternative to After Effects is Wondershare Filmora . With the release of its Volume 13, you can enjoy many premium features. To boost your productivity, the tool offers many AI features. You can use its AI copywriting feature to produce video outlines. By doing so, you can have AI-generated content for video production. Furthermore, it provides a smooth performance with its robust interface.

It contains a wide range of filters and overlays. It also allows you to apply transitions in the video clip from various options. To replace backgrounds in the video, try its Green Screen feature. This advanced feature can add realistic backgrounds to the videos easily. Moreover, you can color-correct the video to add perfect exposure properties. You can modify brightness, saturation, and other elements in the color-correct options.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

How to Add Slow-Motion Effect With Filmora

Are you ready to create a slow-mo effect in Filmora? Read the following section to learn how to create a slow-motion effect using this tool.

Step 1: Select New Project

Begin by launching this desktop tool on your PC. Choose the “Profile” icon from the top and sign into the tool. Continue to select the “New Project” button on the main screen to open a new editing window.

open new filmora project

Step 2: Import Video to Filmora

On the main interface, press “Ctrl + I” from your keyboard. By doing so, you can import the video clip from your PC. Once done, drag and drop the imported video to the timeline.

add video to timeline

Step 3: Choose Optical Flow

Now, select the video you have dragged to the timeline. Go to the right panel and choose the “Speed” tab. Look through the “Uniform Speed” tab and look for the “AI Frame Interpolation” option. By expanding this option, choose “Optical Flow.”

access speed ramping open optical flow

Step 4: Render and Export the Video

Now, head to the toolbar of the timeline. From there, tap on “Render Preview,” through which you can see the final results. Once done, you can export the video to the desired platform.

finalize and export video

With the new upgrade, you can add an accurate slow-mo effect from Filmora. It uses AI technology to achieve the best results. Hence, this editing tool is a game-changer in the video production industry.

Exceptional Features of Filmora

  • AI Music Generator: This tool allows you to create custom music sounds. To do so, select your music style and genre from the given options. Afterward, you can edit the music by adjusting its volume and other parameters.

  • Screen Recorder: Do you want to capture the on-screen activities of your PC? The screen recorder of this software can capture any area of the screen. It also allows webcam and microphone recording. Afterward, you can edit the screen recording with its basic tools.

  • Silence Detection: To add more clarity to your videos, try the Silence Detection feature. This option removes the silent parts from your video. The process is automatic and does not need your manual efforts. Thus, with a single tap, you can eradicate unwanted parts from the video.

  • Speech-to-Text: The STT feature transcribes the video in the selected language. You can add subtitles to the videos in up to 26 languages. This feature increases your editing efficiency and offers great accuracy.

Conclusion

A slow-motion effect can highlight an action in a video clip. It can engage the viewers by generating a cinematic impact. The After Effects is a common program to add a slow-mo effect in videos. However, to create a more captivating slow-motion effect, we suggest Filmora. Its latest version has introduced many premium features for video editing. With AI algorithms, you can add a smooth, slow-motion effect to your videos. The process is automatic, which saves you from manual work.

Also read:

  • Title: Ultimate Guide to Making Cinematography for Music Video for 2024
  • Author: Chloe
  • Created at : 2024-05-20 03:38:21
  • Updated at : 2024-05-21 03:38:21
  • Link: https://ai-editing-video.techidaily.com/ultimate-guide-to-making-cinematography-for-music-video-for-2024/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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Ultimate Guide to Making Cinematography for Music Video for 2024